Buying an '03 4Runner was no spur of the moment decision. I've always wanted one and things just sort of worked out. In August 2014 we're moving from FL to OR and our 07 Ford Focus is not the right car for the task of hauling two adults, one pittbull, two bikes, and anything else we might need. Whatever fits in the car comes, whatever doesn't stays on the curb!!
We drove two hours the other day to check out an awesome 87 Land Cruiser. They get pretty bad mpg. This one was pretty rough and it was struggling to get over 65mph. Then we kind of fell in love with a silver V6, 06 4Runner, but it had a crash history and was too expensive. We then drove two hours to check out an 98 Rover Discovery. We got obsessed with it and almost took it. But we were smart and actually paid an expert to inspect the truck before we bought it and he said it was a bad deal at $3K. While driving home from looking at the Disco, the shift solenoid popped on the Focus' tranny and we were already pretty sure that we wanted a Runner. We drove to the closest REPUTABLE dealer, and they had an 03 4Runner and an 05 Highlander. They agreed to give us $3500 trade-in on the Focus. We wanted the Highlander but the Carfax showed spotty maintenance records and when I crawled underneath, it had a rear main leak. I tried to negotiate that they fix it at no charge, but they said no-can-do. The 4Runner is a one-owner with 32 service records - INCLUDING a new Toyota installed timing belt at 85K and TWO tranny flushes. It gets 18 - 20mpg. Portland is a small town and I bike everywhere. In the end, the rumble, torque, and right to call my brother-in-law a chump for buying the 6cyl Highlander are worth 5mpg.
I think my wife and I are going to be really happy with this truck.
I'm putting the following info out there because I want to find fellow like-minded enthusiasts. This is in no way meant to instigate, offend, or irritate, and I'm saying it with the utmost respect toward everyone in this forum. It's hard to find liberal-minded people who appreciate these kinds of vehicles. If you are such a person I hope you will reach out to me. Let's keep politics out of the forum. If you're a liberal-minded person who is into cars, send me a message. Maybe we can hang when the wife and I cross the country. Best wishes to ALL - no matter which side of the aisle you're on.
We drove two hours the other day to check out an awesome 87 Land Cruiser. They get pretty bad mpg. This one was pretty rough and it was struggling to get over 65mph. Then we kind of fell in love with a silver V6, 06 4Runner, but it had a crash history and was too expensive. We then drove two hours to check out an 98 Rover Discovery. We got obsessed with it and almost took it. But we were smart and actually paid an expert to inspect the truck before we bought it and he said it was a bad deal at $3K. While driving home from looking at the Disco, the shift solenoid popped on the Focus' tranny and we were already pretty sure that we wanted a Runner. We drove to the closest REPUTABLE dealer, and they had an 03 4Runner and an 05 Highlander. They agreed to give us $3500 trade-in on the Focus. We wanted the Highlander but the Carfax showed spotty maintenance records and when I crawled underneath, it had a rear main leak. I tried to negotiate that they fix it at no charge, but they said no-can-do. The 4Runner is a one-owner with 32 service records - INCLUDING a new Toyota installed timing belt at 85K and TWO tranny flushes. It gets 18 - 20mpg. Portland is a small town and I bike everywhere. In the end, the rumble, torque, and right to call my brother-in-law a chump for buying the 6cyl Highlander are worth 5mpg.
I think my wife and I are going to be really happy with this truck.
I'm putting the following info out there because I want to find fellow like-minded enthusiasts. This is in no way meant to instigate, offend, or irritate, and I'm saying it with the utmost respect toward everyone in this forum. It's hard to find liberal-minded people who appreciate these kinds of vehicles. If you are such a person I hope you will reach out to me. Let's keep politics out of the forum. If you're a liberal-minded person who is into cars, send me a message. Maybe we can hang when the wife and I cross the country. Best wishes to ALL - no matter which side of the aisle you're on.
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